Here’s to VODACOM and their couriers, RAM and SERVICE!!!

Here’s to VODACOM and their couriers, RAM and SERVICE!!!

I did an online deal with Vodacom on the 1st of June 2018. Part of the deal was free next day delivery. The deal was verified on the 4th of June 2018 by a consultant. The deal was a for a contract + phone for my daughter and was supposed to be surprise for the 8th of June after an external exam.

After the verification process of the 4th of June I asked the consultant if it can possibly be delivered on Thursday the 7th of June, as I would then be able to take the day off and receive the phone, in order for it to be on time for Friday, the 8th. He confirmed that it would be in order. I, therefore, arranged my Thursday to not be working away from home on the project with which I am involved with at the moment; to be able to collect. See, to collect a contract phone, I have to be present and furnish the courier with my ID and proof of address.

On the Thursday morning I phoned Vodacom to find out if they could tell me at what time more or less I need to be in town (20km’s from where I live). The consultant informed me that they now had no stock left and therefore, I would not be receiving the phone yet. She said that it would probably only be Monday! I then asked her to change the delivery address to the town and place where I was working, as that is where I am available at. She said that she would see to it that the courier is informed. This is where RAM couriers become part of the joke.

I received an e-mail and sms from RAM on Tuesday, the 12th of June to say that the parcel will be delivered at the original address. I thus phoned them at 08h00 and informed them that I had spoken to Vodacom and that the delivery address was changed. She acknowledged the new address. I also explained to her that I cannot keep my phone with me during working hours, as it would probably break if kept on my person. I explained that I am clearly visible at the venue and that the person doing the delivery must just come to me to let me know he/she is there. She acknowledged that. By 13h00, during lunch time, I noticed 4 missed calls from RAM. I phoned them again and theyt acknowledged the earlier calls and the whole history. Someone called me back during my lunch break and put me through to the driver that was going to deliver to me. He immediately knew and understood the venue and said they’ll phone me before they get there. I, once again, explained to him that he must just arrive and come up to me, as I cannot have the phone om my person while working, as it would probably break. By 16h30 I noticed missed calls from RAM on my phone and still had not seen anyone from RAM yet. I mad another phone-call to RAM and got the same system-type answers! Two phone calls later I still had no answers and not phone. 6 phone calls in one day! On Wednesday, 13th of June I received another e-mail and sms stating the my phone would be delivered to the original address! I just ignored it. I contacted the original address and they told me that not RAM vehicle ever visited their premises!

On Thursday, 14 June 2018, I phoned VODACOM again and asked what is happening. They were surprised and the consultant said that the phone would arrive on Friday, 15 June. I, once again, spend most of my day in town to be available when the phone arrived. By 14h00 I phoned RAM again to ask about the time of delivery and they informed me that there was not delivery scheduled for me for today. I phoned VODACOM about this and they made RAM phone me again. RAM had audacity to ask me to come and fetch the phone at their warehouse 200km’s from where I live! After many calls back and forth, and me demanding they go out of their way to be of service and correct their errors they just shrugged it off and said that, tomorrow being 16 June and a public holiday, they were not prepared to be of service even though they’d definitely slipped up.

I give up! As a matter of principle I will not buy from VODACOM again and will never pay for any service through RAM either.

I am moving all my contracts to other service providers as soon as they expire. They only see consumers as a drop in the ocean that does not matter.

Thankyou VODACOM and RAM that a phone that was on a ‘next day free delivery’ contract confirmed on 4 June 2018, is still not in my hands by 15 June 2018. Thank you that we can trust you to nail us with fees, but not render us any service even though there were brazen mistakes on both of your sides. Thank you that you see us as an insignificant nuisance when we expect you to keep your promises to us. Thank you RAM that you expect me drive 200km’s to you and 200 back to pick up a parcel which you do not feel like delivering after making really remarkable mistakes.

It is so kind of you to be around so we can spend money at your institutions.